Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-01
Calls aud Skftehes.
THE SECRET CHAMBER.
OCTAVE MIRBEAU.

cred by coarse brown cloth, l noticed
some strange, unfamiliar objects; a row
of Walls and an earthen bowl filled with
pieces of cracked ice Through the half
opened window the air penetrated, SWELL
ing the muslin curtains. and | caught a
glimpse of the blue sky and the topmost
branches of the green trees in blossom, as
they waved to and fro in the breeze.
Where was /? had a sensation as if I
were coming out of long dream. that for
many years had been living in a coma
tose state; had been dead so to speak.
could not remember anything; my limbs
were sore, my flesh bruised and my mind
inert. At times heard the sound of dis.
tant bells and then suddenly it seemed as
if a swarm of bees filed my ears with
their loud buzzing.
The man gently lifted up my head and
made me drink some liquid. which eager
ly swallowed.
well. Mr.. Fearnell," he said' How
do you feel?'
.'Eh! WHAT" | exclaimed, "where am
l?''
"You are in my house, my good Mr..
Fearnell," replied the man, sin my house.
Now compose YOURSELF" he added, land
keep up your spirits. You are being well
taken care Of"
gazed fixedly at the man who spoke in
this wav to me. and suddenly recognized
Doctor Berlram, the most famous special
| ist IN insanity in Dublin.
A SILVER ran through me !; why was in
DR. Bertram's house and not in my own
villa in Phoenix Park, surrounded by my
| books, my implements tor botanizng, and
my microscopes
"You are being we'll taken care Of" he
said to me.
was i'll then? Lmade strenuous efforts
to rerollect, to comprehend, to unravel the
mystery which had brought me here
in a mad-house. for Doctor Bertram.
now remembered. was the superintend
ent OF an asylum for the insane. And this
room, this nun. these walls, the pieces of
cracked ice there could be no possible
doubt was insane. insane! |. respec-
table man, |, scientist, a member of sew
eral academical societies, lunatlc but
whyp but how so?
How long have | been here?"
asked.
"A month, my good Mr.. Fearnell. since
a month. Don't throw off the cover like
that; keep quiet, and above all don't talk
any moie."
The doctor having fixed nv bed, rubbed
his hands and smiled. The hangman he
no doubt enjoyed my misfortune. probably
because was crazier than the craziest lu-
matte he had treated up till then. That
was the reason why he rubbed his hands.
A whole month whole month ! wha,
in the world could have happened? Vain
lv tried to shake off the night which
weighed upon my brain. This night was
denseley opaque and obstinate. Not a
CLEAN of light appeared, not the shadow
Of dawn rose through its gloom. Why
had the doctor forbidden me to talk? Why
did he speak in whispers to the nun
Gradually felt myself growing weaker
| fell asleep and | saw road covered with
blood and lined on both sides by mon
strous microscopes like trees. road on
which two girls were playing ball with a
severed head, while DR.. Bertram, conf
cally wearing nuns hood. was dissect-
ing a corpse. which struggled. reared and
uttered groans.
Next dav was much better. Towards
evening the doctor, whom had not seen
during the day, came and seated himself
near my bed.
GU are uclHg we'll, Ht Sdlu, dS lie
te.t my pulse, land you will come out all
RIGHT in the end my good Mr. Fearnell.
Now tina, your life is saved may as well
tell YOU that you had the erettiest case of
cerebral congestion that ever came under
my notice. Really the prettiest case.
Even now can hardly believe that you
are still alive. Is your memory return
ingP"
Il don't know" replied in a tone of
Encouragement. II don't know. | am
irving TO think"
II merely mention it to you because in
your delirium you have uttered the most
extraordinary things. Are you aware
tina; you were found half-clothed and I'M
conscious in the street?"
81 don't remember ANYTHING. | must
have had a terrible adventure. 1t seems
to me must have been dead, yes, doctor,
must have been killed. somewhere in a
room. There was bed don't recollect
anything more, have | been dreaming?
Am the playtoy of fever? After all this
may be the case-and yet am sure-help
me to think. doctor, alas my brain is still
weak, my memory staggered by the mys.
terious shock. Am not crazyp Yet feel
much better; the buzzing in my ears has
ceased. But that corpse that blonde child
and the head that rolled on the floor, yes,
it rolled Great God | can't recollect
ANYTHING more-">
The doctor questioned me. He told me
what had said, the words | had uttered
in the fever. eagerly listened By de-
grees, as he spoke, veil was slowly lifted
from my eyes and surprising thing. saw
all. all, with wonderful lucidity. My agi-
tation became so great that the doctor felt
my pulse and said: Perhaps it would be
better if let you repose yourself; fear
this emotion will fatigue you. We can
talk Just as well to- morrow"
mo. DOCTOR" exclaimed. ''let us talk
now. | remember everything. | am not
dreaming; listen"
Here is, correctly reported. the story
| then told to DR.. Bertram, and later on to
the Judge;
You are aware of my love for natural
history. Hardly week goes by that do
not 60 botanizing in the suburbs of the CITY,
On that particular day went to Glasne-
vim. where, as you know there are marshy
fields, was sure of gathering plentiful
supply of rare and curious plants, infusoria
and diatomies | can even contide to you
that discovered some rare species, upon
which intend to read paper at the
Botanical Society that will create sensa-
ton; but that has nothing to do with my
III ...l r..l q